FDI in retail: BJP sticks to rollback demand

NEW DELHI: BJP, which senses political profit from possible crisis of governance at the Centre, has said that it was sticking to its demand for a rollback of the retail FDI policy. But the stalemate in Parliament could end if Pranab Mukherjee manages to convince the Opposition that the retail FDI decision would be kept in abeyance till a consensus emerges on the issue.

“Our stated position is that there should be a rollback. A mere hold back or keeping it in abeyance will not do. We will like to see the statement of the government on the issue,” BJP leader Yashwant Sinha said. He said efforts to build consensus should have been taken before clearing the policy. BJP leaders said that their party was not willing to go by the peace offer made by Pranab Mukherjee.

“Sushma Swaraj has suggested that an all-party meeting be convened to explain the government’s latest stand. We will like to see what the offer is. The government had promised to get back after the last all-party meeting. But there was no follow up and the announcement was made in Kolkata,” BJP spokesman Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

There were indications that BJP will not obstruct the functioning of Parliament if Mukherjee’s formulation convinces its members. The party leadership is against sending out the impression that the Opposition is responsible for ruckus in Parliament. CPM said it will insist on an unconditional reversal of the decision to allow FDI in retail. “We want the government to withdraw the policy,” CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said.